ayu

Sweet fish found in fresh-water rivers.

In late summer, an event occurs in Iwakuni on the Nishiki-gawa called ukai, in which cormorants are used to catch these fish off boats at night. The cormorants have rings around their necks which prevent the birds from swallowing the fish when caught.

In Kimagure Orange Road, Madoka's last name is Ayukawa, which could literally be translated as 'river of sweetfish'.